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Canadians and Overseas Filipinos
Denounce
Dutch government for Sison arrest,
intervention in Philippine affairs
September 7, 2007
On this Canadian National Day of Action to Free Professor Jose Maria
Sison, we progressive and peace-loving Canadians and overseas Filipinos
denounce the Dutch government for its hand in the unjust arrest of
Professor Jose Maria Sison and its imperialist intervention and meddling
in internal Philippine affairs.
We also reiterate our demand that the Dutch government respect the human
rights of Professor Sison – who is suffering from inhumane treatment and
torture in solitary confinement, denied visits from his wife, denied warm
clothing, denied access to his medicines and to his own doctor, and denied
access to newspapers and television.
Today, Professor Sison faces a panel of judges who will decide whether to
extend his unjust detention for a further 90 days. However, it is clear
that his arrest and detention are politically motivated, aimed at
pressuring the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP, of
which Professor Sison is the Chief Political Consultant) to capitulate to
the Government of the Republic of the Philippines in the peace
negotiations.
Since Professor Sison’s unjust arrest on August 28, 2007, there are more
details, facts and analysis that confirm our outrage against the Dutch,
Philippine and US governments.
The Supreme Court of the Philippines already exonerated Professor Sison of
these charges on July 2, 2007. Yet, the Dutch government insists on
pursuing these fabricated charges by arrogantly imposing its judicial
system over that of the Philippines.
The dirty collusion and conspiracy between the three governments is also
clear. Soon after Professor Sison’s arrest both the Philippine and US
governments admitted their participation or willingness to participate in
this case, contradicting the statement by the Dutch National Prosecutor’s
Office that this was exclusively a Dutch initiative.
The Dutch government prides itself on upholding human rights and world
peace, yet by persecuting Professor Sison, it chooses to side with the
brutal and repressive US –Arroyo regime in the Philippines – a regime that
is responsible for the killing and disappearances of over 1000 people.
The Dutch government’s actions seek to dovetail with the US – Arroyo
regime’s desperate attempt to quell the 30-year civil war in the
Philippines by implementing a brutal counter-insurgency plan and other
means of state-sponsored terrorism under the framework of the US-led “war
on terror.”
Aside from its political interests, the Netherlands’ economic interests in
the Philippines certainly also motivate their hypocritical stance. As the
third largest trading partner of the Philippines and the second largest
foreign investor, the Dutch government benefits from the plunder of the
Filipino people’s national patrimony through such oil projects as in the
areas of the Malampaya and Ragay Gulf.
By meddling in internal Philippine affairs in this case, the Dutch
government exposes its true nature as an imperialist nation – whose
interests are diametrically opposed to those of oppressed nations such as
the Philippines. By aggressively pursuing politically motivated charges
against Professor Sison, the Dutch government tramples upon the Filipino
people’s right to stand up against tyranny, to stand up against repression
and to stand for a just and lasting peace.
As progressive and peace-loving Canadians and overseas Filipinos, we
cannot sit as silent onlookers at this clear example of imperialist
intervention at work today. As the global crisis of imperialism worsens
and its attacks against oppressed peoples and nations heighten, we must
take a stand in solidarity with the Filipino people in their struggle for
national and social liberation.
We call for Professor Sison’s immediate and unconditional release. As a
key figure in the national democratic movement in the Philippines and in
the global anti-imperialist movement, Professor Sison has shared his ideas
and analysis with millions of Filipinos and others around the world. He
has given selflessly in service of the people. He is not a terrorist nor
a criminal, but a towering figure in the anti-imperialist struggle for a
just and lasting peace in the Philippines and wherever imperialism and
reaction exploits and oppresses the toiling masses.
Free Professor Jose Maria Sison!
Stop state-sponsored terrorism!
Long live the Filipino people’s struggle for national and social
liberation!
Long live international solidarity!
Statement of:
• Philippines-Canada Task Force on Human Rights
• SIKLAB-Canada (Advance the Rights & Welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers
and Their Families)
• National Alliance of Philippine Women in Canada
• Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada/Filipino-Canadian Youth Alliance
– National
• International League of Peoples’ Struggle (ILPS) participating
organizations in Canada
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■
The case of Jose Maria Sison by Gary Leupp
■
Bulatlat: Dutch-Philippine Relations, the Ties that Bind
■
Bulatlat: An Insidious Plan
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